Updated ,first published
An Australian man and his two young children have been found dead inside a Bali home in what authorities suspect was a double-murder suicide.
The bodies of Perth man Damien John Shaw, 56, and his two children, aged 4 and 6, were discovered by Indonesian police on Sunday morning after the mother of the children asked neighbours to carry out a welfare check at the family’s rental house in Kuta.
She was in Jakarta at the time, having left only days prior, and called the neighbour crying, according to local police.
A Denpasar Police press release said a neighbour, Nur Khamid, received a phone call from Shaw’s wife, who was in Jakarta.
“In the phone conversation, the witness was asked to help check on the condition of her husband and her two children living in the bungalow, as they were unreachable,” the release said.
Shaw’s wife allegedly told Khamid she had spoken to her husband on the phone, and heard one of their children crying.
Khamid went to the front of the property and attempted to look through the window, but couldn’t see anything.
A second person was called to help and also could not see anyone inside the home, and the local community leader was contacted.
A few minutes later, the leader arrived with several neighbours who were also renting bungalows at the property.
They knocked and banged on the door while calling out to the occupants, but received no response and the door was forced open.
Shaw and his two children were inside.
“Police officers arriving at the scene proceeded to process the location and conduct a preliminary examination alongside the Denpasar City Police identification team,” the Denpasar police release states.
“Based on the external examination of the three victims, preliminary findings suggest that the two children died as a result of violent acts.”
Officers are investigating the cause of death for the three people, with autopsies being carried out.
The family first rented the property in 2022, and were signed to stay until 2029.
9 News Perth reported the deceased man was from Fremantle. However, it is understood both children were not Australian citizens.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is assisting the family.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the news was “horrific”.
“A father and children have lost their lives,” he said.
“There is a very confronting situation there. This is a very sad, sad situation, and our hearts go out to everyone involved, and we hope that we can get to the bottom of what’s gone on here as soon as possible.”
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